Yea, right, Race Day - oh the women raced all right, but did Linda work? No. Did Linda ski perfect hills under a perfectly blue sky, while the sun gradually burned her delicated Irish skin, even with sunblock? YES!
I had risen at 5am, got a ride in from Black Tusk with yet another RCMP officer, (they`re so nice), in yet another cruiser - but - I've graduated to the front seat now - more leg room up there! His job is to drive up and down, and up and down, and up and down the highway - I just happened to get him at the turnaround at Black Tusk, where I was waiting for the bus and chatting up a couple of road workers.
Speaking of RCMP officers, they are everywhere - there are over 3,000 of them here from all across Canada. And I think truly they are so bored, that they love talking to the tourists, athletes, and volunteers. There`s even a team of in-uniform officers whose job it is to ski the hill all day - tough posting!
Now that we're into the Slalom Races, the runs are shorter, and so they don't need as many Gate Judges, so a few of us will get one of the races off this week as a result. Today was my turn. But, since I didn't know that until after I arrived in uniform, ready to work, I had to ski alone. But with my new-found skills from yesterday...I...wait for it...skied my FIRST black diamond run at Whistler - woo-hoo!!! Yes, it was steep, and yes, it was fast, and I loved it!! Oh yes, and it was scary too, but I did it. It`s all in the edging, man, all in the edging.
But, before I went off for my ski, I forgot to mention that I actually went to the Finish Area, and just sauntered in - gotta love my Accreditation - to the public viewing area - you`ve probably seen the crowds sorrounding the horseshoe-shaped Finish Area - that`s where I was. It was really cool to see the whole race from start to finish on the jumbo-tron, and then live for the last few gates, where the skiers come literally airborne over the last ridge, appropriately dubbed`Hot Air`, and scream down the final pitch in a tuck, where they break the finish èye`, so their timing and placement are instantly displayed. I love that the crowd cheers for everyone - all countries - the spirit of comradary among the volunteers is great, but we`re working together. What`s really amazing is the common bond among the public. Everyone is so friendly, so naturally interactive - and why not - we`re all here for the same reason - to celebrate our appreciation for the blood, sweat, and tears these athletes have endured to compete for each of their nations.
Very hot face from sun, must go refresh with...oh, I know, a chilly glass of wine from the Weasel House!
Bonus - someone had a car - yayyyy - no long wait late at night for the bus out at Athletes Village! Sure, it`s nice to stand just inside the Reception Tent, where there`s heat, and all the athletes say hello as they are dropped off from their evenings out, and one can admire their various winter fashions, but seriously, this long waitin for the bus thing is just not appealing when you`re asleep on your feet.
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